Modern civil engineering and structural design demand precision, speed, and seamless collaboration. Among the top-tier solutions empowering structural engineers, architects, websites and detailers is Tricalc, a comprehensive software package developed by Arktec. Designed specifically for the complete workflow of building and civil structures, Tricalc enables professionals to handle everything from spatial modeling and structural calculation to automated code checking, rebar detailing, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration.

1. Introduction to Tricalc

Tricalc stands out as an integrated, multi-material structural software suite. Unlike modular tools that require exporting data back and forth between separate analysis and drafting applications, Tricalc operates on a single central 3D model.

Whether designing a multi-story residential building, an industrial steel hall, or a complex hybrid structure, Tricalc allows structural engineers to analyze static and dynamic loads, perform dimensioning according to international building codes, and generate construction-ready drawings within a unified graphic environment.

Core Architecture

• Unified Spatial Model: All elements—columns, beams, slabs, foundations, walls, and trusses—are modeled in a single 3D workspace.
• Multi-Material Engine: Simultaneously handles reinforced concrete, structural steel, timber, aluminum, and masonry structures.
• Bi-Directional BIM Interoperability: Supports OpenBIM standards via IFC, standard CAD formats (DWG, DXF), and direct exchange links with architectural software.

2. Key Capabilities and Features

A. Advanced 3D Modeling Capabilities

Tricalc offers flexible geometric generation tools tailored to building geometries. Engineers can create structural grids, import 2D floor plans (DXF/DWG) as snapping backgrounds, or import 3D IFC models from architectural software such as Revit, ArchiCAD, or Allplan.

• Structural Elements Supported:
  • Concrete: Beams, columns, solid slabs, waffle slabs (forjados reticulares), joist slabs (forjados unidireccionales), shear walls, and core walls.
  • Steel & Metals: Hot-rolled sections, cold-formed sections, welded profiles, trusses, and complex spatial frames.
  • Timber & Masonry: Timber beams/posts and load-bearing masonry walls.
  • Foundations: Shallow footings, isolated footings, continuous footings, tie/ground beams, mat foundations (losas de cimentación), and pile caps.

B. Analysis Engine (Finite Element & Frame Analysis)

Tricalc integrates powerful structural analysis solvers capable of processing complex load combinations:

1. Linear Static Analysis: Evaluates bending moments, shear forces, axial forces, torsional moments, and deflections under dead, live, wind, and thermal loads.
2. Second-Order Analysis (P-Delta): Accounts for geometric non-linearities, essential for tall buildings and slender compression elements.
3. Dynamic & Seismic Analysis: Uses response spectrum methods according to Eurocode 8, NCSE, and American standards (ASCE/IBC) to analyze modal frequencies and earthquake resistance.
4. Soil-Structure Interaction: Models foundation stiffness and ground reactions to prevent uneven settlement issues.

C. Structural Design and Code Verification

Once analysis results are obtained, Tricalc performs automatic sizing, checking, and optimization of structural members based on regulatory design standards:

Structural Material	Key Regulatory Codes Supported	Optimization Capabilities
Reinforced Concrete	Eurocode 2, CTE DB-SE-C, EHE-08, ACI 318	Auto-calculates longitudinal/transversal rebar layouts, lap lengths, and anchorage details.
Structural Steel	Eurocode 3, AISC 360, CTE DB-SE-A	Checks section capacity, local buckling, lateral-torsional buckling, and selects optimal profiles.
Steel Connections	Eurocode 3 Part 1-8	Sizes end-plates, welds, bolts, stiffeners, and baseplates automatically.
Foundations	Eurocode 7, CTE DB-SE-C	Verifies soil bearing pressure, overturning, sliding, and internal shear/punching stresses.

3. Advanced Modules and Specialized Workflows

Tricalc features a modular architecture that enables go to my site engineering firms to extend the system’s core capabilities according to project demands.

Structural Steel Connection Design

Tricalc includes dedicated modules for modeling and calculating bolted and welded steel connections. The software evaluates connection stiffness (rigid, semi-rigid, or pinned) and automatically passes these joint properties back into the main structural model for accurate global analysis.

Slab and Wall Detailing

• Waffle & Joist Slabs: Automatically arranges reinforcement meshes, top bars (negativos), shear reinforcement, and edge beam details.
• Retaining & Shear Walls: Sizes vertical and horizontal reinforcement bars, calculates overturning stability, and models soil pressure distributions.

Fire Resistance Analysis

Structural members can be evaluated under fire exposure conditions according to Eurocode standards. Tricalc calculates temperature profiles within concrete or steel sections and determines the required fire protection layers (such as intumescent paints or board enclosures).

4. BIM Interoperability and Documentation

A primary advantage of Tricalc is its capacity to generate high-quality project deliverables without requiring external CAD drafting.

       [ Architectural Model ]
            (IFC / DWG)
                 │
                 ▼
       ┌──────────────────┐
       │     TRICALC      │
       │  3D Structural   │
       │ Analysis & Design│
       └──────────────────┘
                 │
  ┌──────────────┼──────────────┐
  ▼              ▼              ▼
[ Bill of     [ Structural   [ Detailed  ]
 Quantities ]   Reports ]      Drawings  ]
 (BC3/Excel)    (PDF/DOCX)     (DWG/DXF/IFC)

1. Automatic Drawing Generation: Tricalc produces complete structural plans, including foundation layouts, column schedules, beam elevation details with rebar schedules, and steel assembly drawings.
2. Comprehensive Calculation Reports: Generates customizable calculation memories detailing load cases, dynamic modes, equilibrium checks, and element-by-element structural verifications for municipal plan review.
3. Bill of Quantities (BoQ): Exports detailed material take-offs, including concrete volume ($m^3$), rebar weight ($kg$), structural steel tonnage, and formwork area ($m^2$), directly into standard formats like BC3 or Excel.

5. Benefits of Implementing Tricalc

• Enhanced Productivity: The single-model approach eliminates duplicate data entry, reducing modeling time and minimizing human error.
• Regulatory Compliance: Built-in compliance checks ensure structural safety and adherence to regional and international standards.
• Reduced Material Costs: Integrated optimization algorithms help engineers choose optimal steel section sizes and rebar quantities, leading to cost-effective structural designs.
• Seamless Coordination: OpenBIM capability facilitates friction-free coordination between structural engineers, architects, MEP engineers, and contractors.

Conclusion

Tricalc by Arktec remains a pivotal software package in the structural engineering domain. By bridging the gap between sophisticated finite element calculation and practical construction drafting, Tricalc offers an all-in-one solution for structural design professionals. Its capability to handle complex multi-material structures within a modern BIM workflow makes it an essential tool for delivering safe, economical, blog and well-documented building projects.